Clutch



sept 18, 19211.A 1,684,471

. G.c. cARHAR'r CLUTCH Filed Nov- 14, 192s :s sheets-sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY5,

G. C. CARHART Sept. `18, 1928.

CLUTCH Filed Nav. 14, 1925 s sheets-sheet. 3

IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS Patented Sept. 18, 1928.

UNITED STATES VPATENT OFFICE;

GEORGE C. CABHART, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR'TO BROWN-LEE GEAR COMPANY, OF SYBACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ommen.v

application mea november i4, 192s. serial m. smoes.

its object a particularly simple and eiicient` structure by which the bearing for 4the operating or release member. or collar, as well as other parts, are lubricated. The invention, for convenience, is called a clutch re.

lease bearing housing.

The lnvention consists 1n the novel features and in the combinations and constructlons v hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference characters designate corresponding parts in all ,the views.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of al clutch embodying my invention, and contiguousparts.

Figure 2 is a rear end elevation of the clutch release bearing, the shifting yoke being also shown.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation, the rear plate or-wall of the housing being removed. Figure 4 is a plan view of the housing. Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of another form of my invention applied to a disk clutch. Figure 6 is an inner face view of the front plate of the sheet metal casing shown in Figure 5.

e This invention comprises generally arelease.

bearing having an oil recelver or housing o r casing for lubricating the bearing and also for supplying oil to the other parts of the clutch, 'and a brake means coasting with the clutch release bearing to stop the rotation of the clutch when the clutch pedal is'actuated to release or throw ott' the clutch. Some ofv such pats may be omitted if desired.

The clutch may be of any suitable form,

size and construction, that shown in Figure.

1, being a single platel clutch comprismg driving and driven elements, one of which, usually the driven element, comprisesa shaft, and an axially shiftable member, the shiftable member having a sleeve slidable axially on the shaft, and a clutch release bearinembodying an oil receiver or casing. such earing being a unit against which the actuator or' shifting yoke thrusts. The release bearing usually comprises an inner collar mounted 7 on the sleeve and rotatable therewith, an

outer ring, anti-friction members as balls between the ring and the collar, and an oil casl shiftable axially of the shaft 3, themember4 5 having a hub 5 slidably mounted on the shaft v3, and also having an annular plate 6 interposed between friction disks or plates 7, 8 which are interposed respectively between the plate 6 and the driving element 1 and between the plate 6 and a' pressure ring 9.

The movement of the pressure ring 9 by the' operating mechanism to' be described to the left, Fig. 1, compresses the plate 6 and the friction plates 7, 8 toward the driving element 1 and the release-0f the operating means f relieves the pressure on the ring 9 and also -permits the plate 6 and the disks 7, 8 to separate to release the clgutch, the member 5 or 4the hub 5 thereof sliding along the shaft 3 'during suchoperation.

The hub 5, as here shown, is connected to the shaft 3 by interlocking lengthwise grooves and projections, that is, the shaft is splined at its .inner end, adjacent the 'pilot bearing 4 and the hub 5la is formed to fit or interlock with the splined end of the shaft. The ring 91s thrust in one direction by a comparatively heavy spring and is moved or permitted to move in the other direction to release theclutch by release mechanism operating through the release clutch bearing.

v 11 designates the main clutch spring which thrusts at its outer end against a spring abutment 12 secured to the hub 13 of the pressure ring 9 and at its other end against a spring abutment 14 thrusting against an annular collar 15 on a slide or sleeve 16 movable axially of the shaft 3 and connected to the clutch release bearing, as will be presently described, the collar 15 extendingthrough uslots 17 in the hub 13 of the pressure ring 9.

The power of the spring 11 is applied to the pressure ring 9 through multiplying levers 18 of any suitable construction extending radially relatively to the axis of the clutch, and fulcrumed at 19 at their outer ends on fulcrum or abutment ring 20 and'thrusting at 21 near their outer ends against an annular 'bearing flange 22 on the pressure ring 9 and connected at their inner ends at 22*L to the spring abutment14. The yarrangement of the spring 11 relatively to the pressure ring is` such that the spring normally applies a powerful pressure through the levers 18 and, when the release pedal is depressed to withdraw the sleeve 16 and thus relieve the levers 18 from the pressure of the spring, the spring` acts against the abutment 12 to positively withdraw the pressure ring 9 and release the clutch.

The abutment or fulcrum ring 20, as here shown, threads at 23 into an annular ring 23 bolted to the driving element 1 at the outer end of the recess 2, and such abutment ring 2O is adjustableby turning it inwardly or outwardly to adjust the levers 18. The construction of the clutch forms no part of my present invention and any suitable clutch construction may be used in connection with my invention.

The release mechanism comprises a bearing connected to the sleeve or slide 16 and y an actuator as a yoke, operated by a oot' f tion o the ring.

pedal coacting with the bearing to withdraw the sleeve or slide in one direction, as to the right, to relieve the levers 18 and the pressure ring 9 to relieve them of the spring 11.

24 designates the clutch release bearing, as a whole, which bearing is mounted on a sleeve 25 slidable on the shaft 3and connected to the sleeve or slide 16, as at 26. The clutch release bearing comprises a collar 24 mounted on the sleeve 25 to rotate and slide axially therewith, an outer ring 27, and antifriction members as balls 28 between the collar and the ring. 29 designates the oil casing or housing, this casin enclosing the bearing 24, it being carried iy the ring 27 and coacting with the actuator or yoke to be held from rotation thereby. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the casing includes a body 30 in the form of a box and a rear cover plate 31, the body having ,outwardly'extending (parts o r flanges 32 provi-ded with forwar ly facing bea-rino' surfaces 33 on opposite sides of the` shalt against which faces the arms of the actuator or yoke thrust, the box, also, having an upward extension 35.'

.As here illustrated, the casing is suspended on the bearing and-engages therewith at a plurality of spaced apart points, it being c shown as supported by a bow spring 36 arranged between the to wall 37 of the case and the upper side of ylie ring 27, the spring bearing at its ends on the ring. The top wall 37 is suitably formed to receive the bow spring 36. The casing or box is also formed on its lower side with two inwardly projecting lu 38 which contact with the lower por- '39 is the actuator or yoke, which is mounted upon a shaft or shafts 40 suitably suported in the casing of the clutch, in an Woll nown manner, the yoke embracin t e reing. Preferably the casing 29 is mounted to have an equalizing action relatively tothe yoke and, as here illustrated, the casing is ,fulcrumed so as to halve an equalizing rocking movement about an upright'axis midway between the points of engagement of the yoke arms 40 with the casln the casing is provided wit diametrically-arranged inwardly-extendin lugs 41 thrusting against the front side og the ring 27 above and below the shaft 3 and midway between the points of engagement of the yoke arms with the casing. The yoke is actuated in any suitable manner as by the usual foot pedal.

The casing is also shown as being provided with means as a gage for determining the proper adjustment of the clutch and, as here shown, thls gage comprises an arm 42 movable vertically across the front side of the casing and pivoted at 43 in the recess rovided by the curved top wall 37 of the ox, this arm and its pivot bearings being formed from sheet meta A A suitable coil spring 44 tends to move the arm upwardly. In adjusting the clutch, this arm is swung downwardly and the yoke 39 actuated to release the clutch, the yoke being actuated far enough to hold the arm between-the end of the hub 1310i the pressure rin 'and the front face of the oil casing 29. T e abutment ring 20 is thenA turned to take u the loosencss between the levers 18 and t eir fulcrum and pivotal points and then the clutch pedal released, the gage 42 then vbeing moved by its spring upwardly to its normal inactive position. The gage determines the amount of adjustment required of the abut-ment 20. The oil casing 29 is provided with suitable oil holes 45 by 29. Preferably,

means of which oil can .be injected into the Casin 29.

Thls release bearing also coacts with a brake for stopping the rotation of the driven element of the clutch when the clutch -is released. This brake, as here shown, consists of brake disks-mounted on and keyed to the shaft 3 between the release bearingfand a sup-,

iso

= vential side of the being alined with some'of the grooves 15 at the front splined end of the sha t 3, and each groove serves as a duct to conduct the oil from the oil casing to the pilot bearing 4 and to the sleeve 25 or any part slidable on the shaft 3.

The support for the rear end of the shaft 3 is usually the front Wall of the transmission gear case to which the shaft 3 transmits power and, as here shown, is a bearing cap 52 mounted iii the front wall of the case of the transmission gearing, the end surface 53v of this cap serving asan abutment for the brake consisting of the ring 46, and disks 47 and 48. Upon the depression of the foot pedal, the release bearing is forced rearwardly and the rear wall or cover plate of the housing 29 thereof engages the friction disk 47 and slides the ring 46, and disks 47 and 48 rearwardly along the shaft 3 against the end face 53 of the bearing cap 52 and,as the ring 46 is keyed to the shaft, retards and stops the rotation of the shaft 3.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the clutch release bearing housing or casing is formed of sheet metal and comprises front and rear plates 54, 55, having outwardly extending flanges 56, 57, which are riveted or otherwise secured together. The front wall ofthe front plate has inwardly projecting bosses 58 arranged diametric'ally opposite each other above and below the shaft 59 of the clutch, these bosses fulcruming against 'the outer ring 60 of thelateral side dr the circumfen bearing. Also the wall of the front plate 54 is formed with inwardly and radially ,extending bosses or projections flanges 56`near the upper end ofthe yoke 61 spaced apart for engagingthe periphery of the outer ring 60, and thus supporting the oil case or housing on the ring 60, and also holding the ring from rotation. i The flange 56 of the front plate is also provided. with bearing parts, o'r blocks 63 on diametrically opposite sides of the shaft and midway between the lugs or projections 58, for coacting with the arms 64 of -he yoke 65. Also, the are formed with a'ngularly turned lugs 66 which engage the yoke arms 64 near the axis of the yo re or the ends of the shaft on which the yoke is mounted, the engagement being for the purposeof holding the oil housing from rotation. i

'The collar 67 is mounted upon a sleeve 68 slidable axially of the shaft 59 and covering the oil ducts 69 therein. The sleeve isconnected at its inner end to the ber y7() of the clutch which o erates to com` press the disks 71 and 72 of t e driving and driven elements of the clutch. A series of springs 73 act on the pressure member 70, toA t rust it in one direction to enga e the disks and said member is shifted in t e opposite direction by the yoke 65, acting through the release bearing and the sleeve 68.

77 is interposed between Ply sariIy, the oil will .or 69, Figure pressure mem- The sleeve 68 is connected to the member by a ring 'or collar 74 keyed to the sleeve 68 and interlocking at 75 with the pressure member 70, this collar 74 thrusting against an abutment ring 76 arranged in an annular groove in the sleeve 68. A suitable spring the release bearing and the collar collar against the abutment 76 and holds the parts from rattling. In the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the oil from the release bearing housing finds its way to the ducts 69 and through the grooves and splines at the end of the shaft 59 on which the driven member is mounted to the pilot bearing.

In clutches of this type, the pilot bearing in the front end 0f the clutch shaft is difficult to lubricate, and usually is not lubricated except by such lubricant as may find its way haphazard fashion to the pilot bearing. By reasonof the outside oil ducts or grooves 50 or 69, oil .is conducted along the outside of the clutch shaft from any source of supto the pilot bearing 4 through the splines The main lubricantsource of supply in this clutch is the housing for the throw-out bearing, which is made to hold oil. Necesfind its wa from the throw-out bearing to the perip ery of the The rotation of the -shaft tends to feed the oil along the shaft or the rotation of the driving parts of the clutch about the shaft with the engine when to so feed the oil. Another source of supply is the bearing cap 52 at the front end of the transmission gear casing. `rIhe transmission gearing runs in a lubricant and the oil tends to feed alonff the shaft out of the casing. The oil thus ed out is conducted to the pilot bearing ofthe 5 to the pilot bearing. To facilitate the feeding of the oil from the bearing cap 52, the bearing cap is provided with oil grooves 52il in the portion thereof bearingv means for shifting said`4 member, including a release bearing concentric with the shaft,

vand an actuator, an o'il casineenclosing said bearing, and su ported thereb the actuator comprising a yo e embracing t e bearing and the casing, and having arms thrusting against the easing on diametrically opposite sdesof the shaft, and the casing having fulcrum oints thrustin against the bearing and located midway vtween the 1points, of engagement of the yoke arms wit the casing.

2.4111 a a member shiftable axially of .the shaft, shifting said membexincluding a means for release bearingconcentrie with e sha and clutch, the combination of a shaft,

on which the bearing slides.A

the 'clutch is disengaged, 'tends clutch through the grooves 50 an actuator, an oil casin cated midway the pilot enclosing said bearmg, and suplported there y, the actuator comprising a yo e embracing the bearing and the casingyand having arms thrusting against the casing on diametrically opposite sides of the shaft, and the casing having fulcrum points thrustin against the bearing and lotween the oints o engagement of the yoke arms Wit the casing, t e casing extending` between the arms of the yokeand engaging such arms, wherebyr the `casin is held from rotation.

3. n a clutch, the combination of a shaft, a member shiftable axially of the shaft, means for shifting said member, comprising a collar -en the shiftable member, and arranged concentric with the shiftable member, a bearing rino' encircling the collar, antifriction members tween the collar' and the acting with said rin against 'the same, andga and acting to thrust n 011 casino' enclosing the collar and the bearing ring, le oil casmg havin bearing parts arranged to recelve the t rust of ne actuator, and the casing having fulcrum points on diametrically opposite sides of the ring, and midway between the points of engagement of the shifter and the bearinr parts of the casing.

4;. In a clutc thel combination of driving and driven elements, the driven element com- .'prising a shaft having a pilot bearing in the driving element, and a clutch member shiftable axially of the shaft, means for shifting said member, com rising a. throw-out bearing mounted on Isaid sli the bearing, an actuator arranged to shift the bearing and shaft being formed with an external lengthwise passage connecting the oil Aeasing and armg.

5. In a clutch, the combination of driving and driven elements, the driven element comrising a shaft having a pilot bearing in the riving element, and the driven element also comprising a member slidable axially of the shaft adjacent to the pilot bearing, the shaft being formed witlrlengthwise grooves and l enclosing splines, and said member having a hub slidably fitting the grooves and splines, the shaft being also formed with an oil duct extending lengthwise thereof, and alined with one of the grooves, means for controlling the shifting of the slidable member, comprising a sleeve'mounted on the shaft for covering said duct, a bearing on said sleeve, an oil casing the bearing,and an actuator coacting wit the bearing, said duct being arshaft, and rotatable with the bearing ring, an actuator coaft, an oil casing enclosinfr l hence said shiftable member, the

ran ed to conduct the oil from the oil casing `to t e pilot bearing.

a bearing on theshaft and slidable axially thereof, means for controlling the shifting of the slidable member including a throwout bearing,` an voil casing enclosing the throw-out bearing, and an actuator coacting with the bearing, the shaft of the driven element being formed with a lengthwise peripheral oil duct connecting the oil casing for the throw-out bearing and the bearing of the slidable member on the shaft.

7. In a clutch, the combination of driving and driven elements, the driven element Colnprising a shaft having a pilot bearing on the dving element, and a shiftable member slida e ling the shifting of said slidablemember, comprising athrow-out bearing slidable on the shaft, an oil casing enclosing the throwout bearing, an actuator arranged to shift the bearing, the shaft of the driven clement being formed with a lengthwise peripheral oil duct connecting the oil casing for the' throwout bearing and the bearing of said slidable element and the pilot bearing.

8. In a. clutch, the combination of driving and driven elements, the driven element comprising a shaft having a pilot bearing in the .driving element and a' clutch member slidableaxially of the shaft, means for conthe driven element comprising a shaft, a clutch member 'having axially of the shaft, means for controltrolling the shifting of the slic'lable clutch i member, the shaft having an external peri heral oil duct extending lengthwise thereo to the ilot bearing and means for supplying the o1l to said duct in the rear of the clutch.

9. In a clutch, the combination of driving and driven elements, the driven element comprising a shaft having a pilot bearing in the. driving element and a clutch member slidable axially of the shaft, means on the shaft for controlling the shifting of said member, a lubricated bearing` for the shaft in the rear of the clutch and an external oil duct vextending lengthwise of the shaft and communicating with the pilot bearing, the oil ductalso communicating at the rear end with said lubricated bearing.

vIn testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, at' Syracuse, in the county of Onon aga, and State of New York, this 

